Starship Fantasies Playtest (Inactive)

Game Master Brian Minhinnick

Science fiction Pathfinder homebrew campaign.


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Male Human

"We've completed our mission parameters, the pirate threat is eliminated and the arcanicite will flow. I can't say that I'm overly surprised. Things always seem to work out for the Guild. Somehow they've ended up in control of the planet, and with the pirates gone. Yet we paid for it with the blood of a good chunk of our crew and the rightful leader of the planet missing and presumed dead." The captain has the same bitter expression on his face that was there after the battle. "Auriel has informed me that the Astromage will arrive tomorrow. Anyone with that title can fix up this ship in a few minutes. We'll head back to Vega after that for our next assignment. Any questions?"


"Not from me, Sir. I'll just be glad to get off this rock."


M Human Oracle (Dual-Cursed Oracle) 1 AC 20/12/118 / HP 11/11 / F +2 R +2 W +3 / Init. +1 / Perc. +1 / Sense Motive +1

"None Sir. Looking forward to leaving this backwater."


HP 33 ⎢ AC 20 ⎢ T 20 ⎢ FF 10 ⎢ CMD 19 ⎢ F +5 ⎢ R +4 ⎢ W +6 ⎢ Init +3 ⎢ Per +7

These victories are always bought with blood, Leo contemplates.

"Do we know anything about our next assignment?


Male Human

"Not yet lieutenant. Remember this was essentially a trial run for the Excelsior. We had a minimal crew to begin with. I'm guessing we'll have some downtime while they put together a full crew. But hey, what the hell do I know? I've been in the FEF for less time than you. Though I'm starting to feel like I never left the Guild. Alright folks, get some shut eye. We'll get out of here ASAP. The Astromage is scheduled to arrive at 14:00 tomorrow, there will be a mandatory meet and greet in this room. I'll see you then." With that, the captain pulls out one of his cigarillos and begins to puff on it, over the objections of the ship's AI coming through the comm. He simply looks up at the speaker, and then flicks his ash onto the floor.


The briefing concluded, the officers are free to rest up after their ordeal in the Cygnuss system. Tomorrow will bring the arrival of the Astromage, and with it their ticket out of this hellhole.

I'd like to see one post from each character with some internal dialogue. What are your character's thoughts and feelings after this mission? Remember this was everyone but Leo and Grimwold's first time in the field. Is the FEF what you expected? Are you happy you went to the academy? Horrified at the killing you've done? Sad to have lost so many colleagues so quickly? Do you feel like you've won, or simply endured here? Paint me a picture please.


Kimefe spends a long time lying on her bed after the briefing; for much .of it her mind is completely blank as she tries to deal with the numbness of everything that had happened the last few days, but sometimes a thought or an image would slip through: the blood of the orcs and goblins that they first fought... the wrecked and burning bar room... conversations with her team during downtime--They had been counting on her--and now they were all dead.
Is what we're doing right? So many people are dead... And with almost nothing to show for it. I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep doing this unless I can find proof that it's worth it.
After several hours she finally drifts to sleep. Were anyone to check on her in the middle of the night they might notice tears on her pillow, although she would never admit it if asked.

Woah, I had no idea Kimefe had a soft side. Weird.


M Human Oracle (Dual-Cursed Oracle) 1 AC 20/12/118 / HP 11/11 / F +2 R +2 W +3 / Init. +1 / Perc. +1 / Sense Motive +1

Horus spends the evening reviewing the damage reports and thinking about the misson.

Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy. First we nearly destroy the excelsior in a poorly executed attack and then the only reason we have any success is because the Bloodclaw captain suffered from a terminal case of overconfidence. We got lucky and even so we still lost 3 crew, Grunk had it coming, but that was bad business with Walter and Syarha. Still beats living on the streets though, I guess.

Horus finally gives up and goes to bed. He sleeps the sleep of the exhausted.


HP 33 ⎢ AC 20 ⎢ T 20 ⎢ FF 10 ⎢ CMD 19 ⎢ F +5 ⎢ R +4 ⎢ W +6 ⎢ Init +3 ⎢ Per +7

"Some R&R is going to be great" Leo says as he leaves the briefing and heads to his quarters.

Once alone in his room he slumps down in his chair, grappling the after action's report. While looking on the losses his thoughts start to drift: Wasn't it some old general who said: "one death is a tragedy, a 100 is statistics" His eyes glides to the letter he wrote Seddyn's relatives. Each of these deaths were a tragedy. I hope this gets easier with time... No it should never be easy loosing men.

Leaning back in his chair his thoughts concentrated on the people he lost. The horror of what happened to Grunk flashes before his eyes and he unwilling shutters. I thought death was the worst that could happen, he thinks. His thought turns to the deserters, They a least got what they deserved.

A bit groggy he heads for his bed. The last thought before he drifts of to sleep is: I wonder if all the lives lost were worth it?


Status:
HP: 27/[27] | AC: 16 | T: 16 | FF: 10 | CMD: 15 | F +5 | R +3 | W +7 | Init +2 | Per +10 | Pistol Ammo 5/10 | Carbine Ammo 0/25

Grimwold heads to his office taking a bit of a round about route to see a bit more of the ship and clear his head. Pirates! We should a been able ta wipe the floor with em... But then that's the military. Send an understaffed ship full o green sprouts ta deal with what should a been a routine mission, no back up ta call if things get out a hand... Gah! In his office now he sits down at the desk and almost automatically reaches down and opens the bottom draw, he pauses, then shuts it again without taking anything out. Instead he picks up an autoscroll and checks the medical inventory and fills out the req form to replenish their supplies once back at Vega. After awhile he finds himself reviewing Grunks medical records...

Mist surrounds Grimwold as he stands in an empty room. He hears the laughter of the pirate Grimmold and the mist begins to clear. Lift doors open and Grunk shuffles out, not a robot but an undead horror, decaying flesh falling from his face. "Nooo!" Grimwold cries, tears stream down his face as he fires again and again at Grunk, the pirates laughter grows to a crescendo behind him and more undead faces emerge from the lift, friends long dead... "Arrgghhhh!!"

Grimwold sits bolt upright at his desk breathing hard and covered in cold clammy sweat. He wipes his brow and opens the bottom draw of his desk again pulling out a bottle of Dwarven whiskey. He takes a long drink before putting it back. Better hit the sack. He thinks getting up slowly and heading for his quarters.


Just a reminder, you've got an encrypted autoscroll you took off of Grimmald's body that no one's done anything with yet.


Status:
HP 15 | AC 18 | T 16 | FF 10 | CMD 16 | F +0 | R +8 | W +3 | Init +10 | Per +9

As Mordanna heads to her quarters she remembers what was left of Grunk.

I hope I never become like that. No cybernetics for me. I want to be whole when I die.

She shudders.

After arriving at her quarters she changes into something more comfortable and plops on her bed.

I thought that carrier had us. Don't know if it was luck, skill, both, or none at all. We were lucky. Do I risk too much? We're alive though. I think that counts for something.

So comfy she thought. Maybe I can stay on the ship for a while.....

and with that, she drifts off to sleep.


The next day comes, and after a morning or getting settled back into the ship, the afternoon briefing approaches. At 13:55, everyone is in the briefing room, but the Astromage hasn't shown yet.


Male Human

After a couple minutes of waiting the Captain says, "These f*ckers are so melodramatic. Can't even tell us how their coming, then have the gaul to be late? My uncle is the worst of the bunch, that bast..." Ageera's eyes momentarily go wide as they shoot to the door of the conference room. "Uncle!?" He exclaims, one eyebrow shooting up. A middle aged man has suddenly appeared just inside the door. His family resemblance with the captain is clear. His salt and pepper hair is cropped short, and he has the piercing black eyes of a hawk. He's dressed in the red robes of an Astromage, the strange cap on his head undoubtedly signifying some rank within the arcane order. "Uncle!" The captain begins again, swiftly pasting a smile onto his face. "What an unexpected pleasure!"


"Alejandro." The man says curtly. "I hadn't expected to see you again so soon. But then I heard you'd nearly wrecked the new ship that the guild put so much work into creating. Of course my concern for your safety compelled me to come and check up." His icy monotone leaves no doubt as to the facetiousness of his sentiments. Turning to the officers he says, "Greetings. I am Ramon Ageera, Guild Astromage of the First Circle."


Status:
HP: 27/[27] | AC: 16 | T: 16 | FF: 10 | CMD: 15 | F +5 | R +3 | W +7 | Init +2 | Per +10 | Pistol Ammo 5/10 | Carbine Ammo 0/25

Grimwold can't help but snort as the Captain is surprised by his uncle. And that's why elders should be respected... At least out loud. He keeps his face straight however as the greetings are made, " Chief Medical Officer Grimwold. " he states simply when it's his turn to introduce himself.


M Human Oracle (Dual-Cursed Oracle) 1 AC 20/12/118 / HP 11/11 / F +2 R +2 W +3 / Init. +1 / Perc. +1 / Sense Motive +1

"An honor Astromage. I am Ensign Hightower and I have the pleasure of being Chief engineer on this marvel the guild has created."


Status:
HP 15 | AC 18 | T 16 | FF 10 | CMD 16 | F +0 | R +8 | W +3 | Init +10 | Per +9

Mordanna bows when the Astromage enters.

"Ensign Mordanna Na'Tal. A pleasure to meet you. The Excelsior has kept us alive. As long as there is a skilled pilot at the helm that is." she says as she smiles.


Leo can retcon in his greeting.

"Would someone care to escort me to engineering? It'll be easiest to conduct my work from there."


Male Human

"Of course uncle. Hightower, Gotrum, Kimefe you're with me. Rest of you can come oogle if you want, if not go make yourselves useful. Knowing my dear uncle we should be flightworthy shortly." the Captain stands, and walking over to the door, motions everyone through. "Right this way sir."


After a brief trip through the teleporters the group ends up in engineering. Ramon takes a brief look around and says, "This will do nicely. Ensign Hightower, please monitor the ship's status. Alejandro, do call for all non-bridge crew to return to their quarters please.


Male Human

The captain nods to Horus, and reaches down to his comm badge. "Crew, this is your Captain speaking. All hands please return to quarters immediately, the ship is about to be repaired." Switching it off with a tap, he says to his Uncle "Give them a few moments to get back please."


After a minute or so, the ship's AI says "All crew are safely in their quarters."


"Excellent. Lets proceed, I have other pressing business to attend to." The Astromage says. Finding a relatively clear spot in the center of engineering, he begins to draw a complex circular pattern reminiscent of a circuit board. The spell is drawn using powdered arcanicite pulled from a hidden pouch within his sleeve. Working from the outer edge inwards, the many parallel curving lines eventually leave only a small circle with Ramon Ageera in the center. The pattern complete, he stands up to his full impressive height, and raising his hands begins to mutter in some ancient arcane tongue.

If any of you speak draconic, it's like that, but a more complex form than you've ever heard.

As his incantation builds strength and speed, the lines ignite into a pulsating electric blue light. Before long the are sparking, and soon tendrils of lightining are shooting out from the circle to disappear into the bulkheads. Ramon's voice takes on the aspect of thunder, deep booming hisses that might be words deafening those in engineering to any other sounds. His eyes shine out like sizzling blue spotlights, casting the whole room in a neon glow. The ship groans and shakes, a small toy in the hands of some giant child. Horus, his eyes glued to the status monitor can see the splintered, ruined hull regrowing itself at a phenomenal rate, starting at the rear of the ship and rushing forward towards the bridge. In less than a minute its all done. The incantation fades, and with it the phosphorescent magical light show. The powdered arcanicite that was on the floor is gone, a burnt copy of its pattern etched into the floor is all that remains. Ramon's eyes are the last thing to return to normal as he steps from the circle, brushing off his robes. They fade from the eyes of a god, back to the piercing black of a man.

"Am I correct in saying that 'did the trick' Ensign Hightower?"


M Human Oracle (Dual-Cursed Oracle) 1 AC 20/12/118 / HP 11/11 / F +2 R +2 W +3 / Init. +1 / Perc. +1 / Sense Motive +1

Gaping in open mouthed awe at the sight of the Astromage's work, Horus nods his accent.

"Yes sir. I, ah, think it definitely did the trick."


HP 33 ⎢ AC 20 ⎢ T 20 ⎢ FF 10 ⎢ CMD 19 ⎢ F +5 ⎢ R +4 ⎢ W +6 ⎢ Init +3 ⎢ Per +7

Retcon
Sir, Leo nodds to the astromage, trying to hide a smile.

In the engineroom
As the spell progress Leo looks on in amazement. Just before the culmination of the spell he curses: "Boar's infected tusks"


"Will there be anything else Alejandro?" The mage asks the captain, arms crossed over his chest, one eyebrow raised imperiously.


Male Human

"No uncle, I think that will be all Sir." He says through a tightly clenched jaw. "Would you like me to show you to the teleporters?"


"I haven't need of any such trifles." He say to the captain. "I bid you all good day. May your next mission go more smoothly." He says, sardonically bowing to the officers.

With that he mutters a few arcane phrases under his breath, snaps his fingers and disappears in a puff of electric blue crackling smoke.


Male Human

His customary sneer so intense it looks like he's constantly smelling fresh sh*t, Ageera barks, "Get us under way for Vega as soon as possible. I'll be in my quarters." Pulling his uniform down vigorously, he strides from the room at a clip muttering inaudible curses.

Reactions, then we go to Vega with my next update.


HP 33 ⎢ AC 20 ⎢ T 20 ⎢ FF 10 ⎢ CMD 19 ⎢ F +5 ⎢ R +4 ⎢ W +6 ⎢ Init +3 ⎢ Per +7

"Aye, aye sir." Leo responds snapping his heels together saluting the captain as he leaves. Once the captain is gone he turns to the others: "That was something," he says scratching his head still not entirely sure what happened.

He walks to the teleporter, "Lets get going." Once there he orders: "Deck 1!"


Kimefe hides her smile until the captain leaves. Shaking her head in amusement, she moves off to her quarters to look at the encrypted autoscroll.

Assuming the Exelsior has the correct coding to get into the scroll, Kimefe will do that. If not:
Use technology: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19


Kimefe, this is military grade encryption. You think you could do it given the proper amount of time. AKA, taking 20 and spending a day with it.


HP 33 ⎢ AC 20 ⎢ T 20 ⎢ FF 10 ⎢ CMD 19 ⎢ F +5 ⎢ R +4 ⎢ W +6 ⎢ Init +3 ⎢ Per +7

Once Leo arrives at the bridge, he heads for the captains chair. "I have the conn. Helm take us home, destination Vega." While sitting in the chair after having given the order Leo's thought begin to drift. Finally. I could really use a good meal.


Kimefe looks at the screen in surprise as she realizes the level of coding is so high. With a slight smirk she settles down to begin working on it again.

20+10=30


M Human Oracle (Dual-Cursed Oracle) 1 AC 20/12/118 / HP 11/11 / F +2 R +2 W +3 / Init. +1 / Perc. +1 / Sense Motive +1

"Ahh the joys of family. Makes me glad I don't have any."

With the ship as good as new, Horus heads to his bunk to rest during the return voyage.


Status:
HP: 27/[27] | AC: 16 | T: 16 | FF: 10 | CMD: 15 | F +5 | R +3 | W +7 | Init +2 | Per +10 | Pistol Ammo 5/10 | Carbine Ammo 0/25

" He'd be a handy man to have along... Coulda whooped those pirates into oblivion. " He comments under his breath after the Captain leaves. " Wonder how many Astro guild mages can just fix a ship like that? "

He heads up to the bridge to watch the crew work for a while before heading to the medical bay to annoy his own staff.


You could make a knowledge (local) or knowledge (arcana) check to answer your question Gromwold.

Kimefe, you don't really have time to break the code right now. As soon as you do I'll let you know what you find.

Mordanna returns to the bridge, and brings the ship about for the gate, the Excelsior is functioning perfectly. They make the gate in under an hour, and are quickly gated to the Vega system. Instructions come through to teleport down to FEF Central Command, near the Academy, you will be debriefed below. The captain has returned to the bridge by this point, and orders everyone to be ready at the teleporters in 10 minutes.

Everyone hurries to change into their dress uniforms, and grab whatever personal gear they might want to have with them. In a few minutes the officers are gathered at the crew deck teleporter. The captain gives the order and the crew is teleported down to a receiving room on the surface. There is a handsome young human ensign there to escort you. He's got short sandy brown hair and perfect white teeth, complemented by sky blue eyes. "Right this way sirs." he says, turning on his heel and striding down the hall. "Admiral Montaghue is eager to debrief you."

Will post again, probably tomorrow, moving us on to the debriefing. You can react/declare what you've got with you in the interim.


Just got my carbine like I always do. :)


The ensign leads the officers all down a passageway to a meeting room similar to the one in which they were briefed a few days ago. There is a weapon rack by the door to store all the sidearms during the meeting. Everyone files in, and takes position around the table. Soon enough the rear admiral comes striding into the room. It appears as if no time at all has passed for her, still dressed in her perfectly clean dress-uniform, with hair up in a tight bun. She salutes all the officers, motions for them to be seated and dismisses the ensign.

"Welcome back. Congratulations on your first successful mission. I understand that you took some heavy losses. We here at command appreciate that. You've all earned some R&R. But before we get to that, I do have a few questions." She pauses momentarily, searching for the right words. "Do I understand it correctly that three of your fellow officers went AWOL and were later killed by Excelsior crew members?"


Kimefe stares at the table in regret while she answers the admiral.

"I wish we could say otherwise. To be fair, we do not know if Grunk left of his own accord or if he was captured and then turned against us. It is not something we will forget easily, regardless."


"I find the case of Ensign Bigfix most troubling. He actually fought for the pirates. Were you able to recover his body?"


M Human Oracle (Dual-Cursed Oracle) 1 AC 20/12/118 / HP 11/11 / F +2 R +2 W +3 / Init. +1 / Perc. +1 / Sense Motive +1

"Actually Sir, I'm not sure it was Bigfix. It appeared that it was a robotic facsimile of him. I'm not actually sure what happened to the Ensign. As for the robot, I'm not sure what happened to it. I would imagine that it is in the possession of the guild."


At the mention of the guild the admiral's facade cracks for the briefest instant, as a grimace flashes across her face. It is gone almost before it can fully register though. "How do we know he wasn't a robot all along?"


"Presumably," Kimefe says, doing her best to keep her voice respectful, "we would know that from the original medical reports that are done on every member of the FEF."

This woman is asking questions with no forethought. I hope we finish this soon.


"Well, there are ways to fool the divination spells that are used to do medical work. That's not widely known, for good reason, but it's still true. Without any proof, we can't be sure...Most troubling indeed. If it got out to the public that the Academy turned out two turn-coats and was possibly infiltrated by an evil android, it would be disastrous. You are hereby under orders to never speak of Ensigns, Tungsten, Syara and Bigfix again. To anyone. Upon penalty of being charged with treason." The Admiral gives each of them a serious look before continuing. "Enough questions. Now for the fun stuff. Kimefe, Hightower, Natal and Starforge, you've all been promoted to Lieutenant in recognition of your valor and bravery in battle." She opens a case and pulls out four sets of Lt's pips, sliding them across the table to the former Ensigns. "You're all being assigned R&R on the resort planet of Bluefall while the Excelsior undergoes recrewing and refitting. We're upping her firepower and giving her a proper full crew. It'll take at least a week, maybe more. Finally, we've decided to try a new command structure on the Excelsior. All bridge officers will be of equal rank and responsibility. You will each maintain a position over one aspect of ship's operations. The only significant change is the lack of a first officer. Lt Gotrum, you are now Chief Personnel Officer. Your duties on-ship are essentially unchanged. The real change is going to come on away missions. Each mission will be lead by a different officer, according to your specialties and the mission parameters. Make sense?"


HP 33 ⎢ AC 20 ⎢ T 20 ⎢ FF 10 ⎢ CMD 19 ⎢ F +5 ⎢ R +4 ⎢ W +6 ⎢ Init +3 ⎢ Per +7

Having spent most of the debriefing contemplating the last mission and commands take on it. He looks directly at the admiral when she describes the changes in command and his new assignment. "Very well ma'am," he answers trying to hide his disappointment. Well what did you expect. 3 officers lost on your watch, the brass has to blame someone, he thinks.


Hope you don't think I'm punishing you for real :P I'm not trying to.

"In addition to the new position of Chief Personnel Officer, the position of Ship's Counselor has been done away with. The duties of Counselor now fall to the CMO." She says, looking at Grimwold. "Chief Operations Officer has also been replaced with the position of Quartermaster. You've been assigned another recent academy graduate for the spot. Ensign Stormcaller, please come in."

Eoriel you can introduce yourself.


A fresh-faced elven ensign enters the room, his blond hair cropped short and his eyes full of poorly-hidden excitement. In his expression you might catch a shadow of the one you wore only months ago, as you got your first assignments.

He stops at an empty seat and snaps a salute before sitting down. "Thank you, Admiral Montaghue. I wanted to express my thanks to you again for choosing me for this assignment. Serving aboard the Excelsior is every ... cadets .. dream." Eoriel winds down his exuberance under the admiral's withering glare.

He clears his throat and turns to address the rest of you. "Good morning, Lieutenants. I am Eoriel Stormcaller, and I received high marks in Logistics, Navigation, Infiltration, and Marksmanship. I know a lot about you - who doesn't know about the crew of the Excelsior on its maiden voyage - and am very proud to join your crew."


HP 33 ⎢ AC 20 ⎢ T 20 ⎢ FF 10 ⎢ CMD 19 ⎢ F +5 ⎢ R +4 ⎢ W +6 ⎢ Init +3 ⎢ Per +7

Leo's eyes hardens at their new ensign's mention of their maiden voyage. "Thank you Ensign, welcome abroad," he answers coldly.

Didn't think so GM. But it would be wrong for my character not to think so.

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